Monday, July 31, 2017

Mae West: West End's Drag

On Monday, 10 July 2017 in England, "The Drag" written by MAE WEST was given a concert reading at London's National Theatre.  A few British theatre critics attended.
• • Naturally, our devoted readers want to hear all about it.
• • "The Drag" — Reviewed by Tom Finch for The Reviews Hub — — Part 1
• • Writer:  Mae West
• • Stage Director:  Polly Stenham
• • Tom Finch wrote:  It was 90 years ago that Mae West’s "The Drag" opened in the unsuspecting town of Bridgeport, Connecticut. Examining as it does, the details of the New York gay scene it was utterly scandalous for its time and after a few performances, it was shut down. Its author, West, was promptly served a 10-day prison sentence. That she would go on to boast that she wore silk underwear for the duration of her sentence gives a good insight into what sort of woman she was.  Fierce.
• • Tom Finch wrote:  The story concerns the daughter of a prominent gay conversion therapist, Clair, who herself is trapped in a loveless marriage with a closeted man, Rolly whose ex-lover has been driven mad with the pain of rejection. Alone for a weekend, Rolly hosts an extravagant drag party st his house with disastrous results.  . . .
• • This was Part 1.  Part 2 will be posted tomorrow.
• • Source:  "The Drag" reviewed by Tom Finch; on Monday, 10 July 2017 in England.
• • On Wednesday, 31 July 1974 • •
• • "Sex is good for you," says Mae West. And an interview published in The Australian Women's Weekly began with that provocative, bold opening when they printed a profile of the sultry star. "I've never had anything to worry about," Mae assured the Aussie reporter. "It's always been success, success, success." ...
• • Source: The Australian Women's Weekly on page 29; published on Wednesday, 31 July 1974.
• • Overheard in Hollywood • •
• • King-siding at Mae's sensational nightclub debut in Las Vegas was laughing boy, Johnny Ray — — once again with his ex — — Marilyn Morrison.
• • In Her Own Words • •
• • Mae West said: “The wages of sin are sables and a film contract.”
• • Quote, Unquote • •
• • An Australia stage production mentioned Mae West.
• • The erotic woman has always held an important role throughout history.
• • Goddesses such as Aphrodite and Venus, historical figures like Mata Hari, Catherine the Great and Lola Montez, movie stars like Mae West and Marlene Dietrich, as well the iconic rock goddesses from the 60s to today.
• • The latest theatrical production of "Bottoms Up!, Tied Together Still," celebrates these women as they delve into their stories of mystery, seduction and their power to bring about change.  ...
• • Source:  Announcement for a production in Melbourne, Australia; posted on Thursday, 31 July 2014 
• • The Mae West Blog celebrates its 13th anniversary • •  
• • Thank you for reading, sending questions, and posting comments during these past eleven years. Not long ago, we entertained 3,497 visitors. And we reached a milestone recently when we completed 3,700 blog posts. Wow!   
• • By the Numbers • •
• • The Mae West Blog was started thirteen years ago in July 2004. You are reading the 3755th blog post. Unlike many blogs, which draw upon reprinted content from a newspaper or a magazine and/ or summaries, links, or photos, the mainstay of this blog is its fresh material focused on the life and career of Mae West, herself an American original.

• • Come up and see Mae every day online: http://MaeWest.blogspot.com/
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• • Photo:
• • Mae West • arrest after "The Drag" 1927

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